Swell Intel

Block Island Surf Forecast, Rhode Island

Rhode Island

Right now
Poor - Fair
overall conditions
2-3ft
knee to waist high
Cross-shore·WSW 12–18 mph
Swell2.4ft @ 7s SSE
TideHigh, falling · low 11:43 PM

Best window·Thursday 6AM9AM·3ft·Fair

Block Island 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Block Island, Rhode Island. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.

Wed, Jun 24: 23ft, 7s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on SSE swell at 7s with glassy conditions. It gets a bit messier later in the day.

Thu, Jun 25: 23ft, 8s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on S swell at 8s with light winds out of the WNW. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and poor by then.

Fri, Jun 26: 23ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2ft waves on S swell at 5s and 9mph from the SSW. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.

Sat, Jun 27: 22ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on SSW swell at 6s with light winds out of the WSW. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.

Sun, Jun 28: 23ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Hold off if you can — morning starts out poor - fair with 2ft waves. Afternoon shapes up better with 2-3ft and fair conditions.

Daily Forecast

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Block Island Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
S
Best Wind
N
Season
Fall

Block Island, Rhode Island sits roughly 13 miles off the southern coast of the state, offering a unique and uncrowded surf experience for those willing to make the ferry or boat journey. The north-facing exposure at these coordinates picks up residual North Atlantic swells that wrap around the island, producing punchy beach break peaks that can surprise even experienced surfers with their power. Fall is the prime season when hurricane groundswells and nor'easters push quality waves to this remote Rhode Island gem, rewarding the adventurous traveler with uncrowded lineups and stunning coastal scenery.

Strong currentsRip currentsRemote locationCold waterLimited emergency accessFerry schedule dependency

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Block Island Surf Forecast FAQ

(9)

What is the current surf forecast for Block Island?

The current wave height at Block Island is 2-3ft with a 6.85s swell period. Wind is WSW at 12mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at Block Island?

The current breaking wave height at Block Island is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.4ft SSE primary swell at 7s, a 2.1ft WSW wind swell swell at 4s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.

When is the best time to surf Block Island?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Block Island is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.7s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Block Island?

Block Island works best with a S swell and N winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.

What tide is best at Block Island?

Tide plays a big role at Block Island. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.

What kind of wave is Block Island and who is it for?

Block Island is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Block Island, Rhode Island sits roughly 13 miles off the southern coast of the state, offering a unique and uncrowded surf experience for those willing to make the ferry or boat journey. The north-facing exposure at these coordinates picks up residual North Atlantic swells that wrap around the island, producing punchy beach break peaks that can surprise even experienced surfers with their power. Fall is the prime season when hurricane groundswells and nor'easters push quality waves to this remote Rhode Island gem, rewarding the adventurous traveler with uncrowded lineups and stunning coastal scenery.

When is the best season to surf Block Island?

The prime season at Block Island is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.

Are there any hazards to know about at Block Island?

Common hazards at Block Island include strong currents, rip currents, remote location, cold water, limited emergency access, ferry schedule dependency. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Block Island surf forecast?

Our Block Island forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.